1. Governor
Willie Obiano, in line with the resolve to make Anambra remain the safest state
in Nigeria in every sense of the expression, has ordered the closure of all
open markets in the state for 14 days, with effect from Monday, March 31, 2020.
The exceptions are foodstuff and medicine markets. The order followed a series
of consultations with various stakeholders in the markets.
2. During the
two-week closure, the people affected by the order are enjoined to stay indoors
and maintain a high level of hygiene like closing their mouths and noses while
coughing or sneezing. They are also advised to maintain social distance by
keeping away from persons by six feet, in addition to washing their hands
regularly with soap and water for at least 20 seconds and declining to hug or
shake hands with any person.
3. The
Anambra State Taskforce on the Coronavirus, which comprises, among others, the
Nigeria Police Force, Anambra Vigilante Group and other security and
intelligence organizations, are directed to ensure strict compliance with the
order closing down markets in the state.
4. The
closure is the last resort in the determination to promote the wellbeing and
secure future of the people of Anambra State. The government deeply regrets the
inconveniences which the order will cause. The directive will be reviewed in
two weeks’ time. If any person has contracted the contagion, it will show
during the period of the market shutdown. Therefore, only people free of
COVID-19 will be in the markets when they are reopened.
5. Our people
are unfortunately susceptible to the Coronavirus. We travel extensively to all
parts of the world for business, leisure, study and medical tourism. Besides,
we have as many as 63 major markets in the state, including the Onitsha Main
Market which is the largest market in West Africa. The markets are always full
of millions of people from different countries in West and Central Africa,
thereby making our people vulnerable to the contagion.
6. The
Anambra State Government would like to use this opportunity to announce the
creation of a special account to assist ndi Anambra grapple with the grave
challenges of the Coronavirus. Known as the Anambra State CORAVID- 19 account,
it is in response to various inquiries from people of Anambra State origin in
different parts of Nigeria and beyond who have been seeking ways to assist
their people since the viral outbreak. The account, which is with the Fidelity
Bank, has number 5030112159. It will be administered by Governor Obiano,
Chairman of the Anambra COVID-19 Taskforce, to ensure absolute transparency and
accountability.
7. Those who
wish to donate materials and equipment like ventilators, surgical face masks,
goggles, surgical gloves, stretchers, automated ICU beds, personal protective
gear, examination gloves and infrared thermometres are encouraged to bring them
to the office of the Secretary to the State Government. (See below a list of
materials needed for the management of the Conoravirus pandemic). Names of
donors will be broadcast and published in the mass media every two weeks,
together with their donations. How the cash they donated was spent will also be
published.
8. Those who
want to donate machines and equipment are advised to send them to the SSG
Office rather than directly to various hospitals and health centres because
each item will have to be certified fit for use by the Centre for Disease
Control, working in conjunction with the Anambra State COVID-19 Taskforce which
is made up of experts.
9. It is
worthy of note that Anambra State has three isolation centres located at
ChukwuemekaOdumegwuOjukwu Teaching Hospital in Awka, NnamdiAzikiwe Teaching
Hospital in Nnewi and Onitsha General Hospital. They are being upgraded
constantly. In addition, there are surge centres to take excess patients from
the three hospitals. The surge centres are at Umueri General Hospital in
Anambra East Local Government Area, Ekwulobia General Hospital in Aguata Local
Government Area, ChukwuemekaOdumegwuOjukwu Teaching Hospital in Awka and the
Auditorium of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) Camp at Mbaukwu/Umuawulu
in Awka South Local Government Area, which can accommodate 500 beds while the
entire camp can accommodate 3,000 beds. There are plans to create another surge
centre in any of the big mission hospitals.
10. What
is more, the state government is working hard to get the Nigeria Centre for
Disease Control to accredit the state teaching hospital as a centre for tests
because its mega laboratory, where over 500 tests can be conducted
simultaneously, meets international standards, though it needs reagents to
start testing suspected cases of the Coronavirus. We are also working
relentlessly that Nnamdiazikiwe Teaching Hospital in Nnewi becomes another
designated centre to test the Coronavirus. These efforts of the state
government and many more require a lot of funds. All forms of assistance from
our people, friends and the international community will be well appreciated.
11. In
this connection, Gov Obiano, Chairman of the Anambra State Taskforce on
COVID-19, publicly expresses gratitude to Jack Ma, chairman of Ali Baba Group
of China, for his recent great philanthropic gesture to the African Union, from
which Nigeria, including Anambra State, is benefitting. Governor Obiano,
therefore, considers it imperative that the Federal Government provides at
least one billion naira (N1bn) to Anambra which is at a risk state in view of
the multitudes of people in its numerous markets and the peripatetic nature of
the people who have been helping in the rapid development of all parts of
Nigeria.
12. The
people and Government of Anambra State are fighting the scourge of COVID-19
together. Together we will win the fight.
God bless Anambra State, the Light
of the Nation.
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